Podcast makers have raised concerns that data in the Apple Podcast Analytics tool has shown a fall in listenership of up to 40%, prompting Apple to launch an investigation.
Playback data for some podcasters is not matching the data that they can see via Podcast Analytics. Following the concern from podcasters, the firm sent out an email to podcasters:
We have received reports of steep consumption declines in reporting. We are investigating these figures as they do not match playback data in Podcast Analytics.
Inaccurate data, or a perceived decline in listenership, can be a major issue for podcasters. They rely on this data and the fact it is accurate to attract sponsors for their shows.
Holiday schedule
Elsewhere in the email, Apple warned podcasters that they might see delays in new show submissions being processed over the upcoming holidays.
They warned that the delays would occur over the Thanksgiving period – 16 -26 November, as well as over the Christmas and New Year period – 21 December until 2 January 2019.
If you plan to release new shows on Apple Podcasts in November or December, be aware of the following periods of delayed submission activity:
- November 16, 2018, to November 26, 2018
- December 21, 2018, to January 2, 2019